The medieval village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, found at 395 m. above sea level (Sant’Antimo is found at 318 m. above sea level), is an outlying administrative division belonging to the commune of Montalcino. The town is partly surrounded by old walls with an arch-formed entrance on the southern side, facing the main road. Worth visiting are the bishop’s palace and the frescoes in the parish church. About 200 inhabitants make their living by farming (vineyards and olive trees) and sell these products in the town basements. A grocery-shop, a bar, and 2 restaurants (Trattoria Bassomondo: 0577 835619 – Locanda Sant’Antimo: 0577 835615) offer refreshments for tourists (link). A bus service connects Montalcino to Castelnuovo dell’Abate about four times a day (348.74.08.676) (link).
At the foot of the hill on which Castelnuovo dell’Abate is built, on the south-west side, a travertine and alabaster quarry is found. This quarry is very old and for centuries was used for the construction of buildings. The stone was still being drawn out up until the year 1990.